USC’s Shaqquan Aaron to enter NBA Draft, not hire agent

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In his first season for the Trojans, sophomore guard Shaqquan Aaron, who transferred from Louisville, averaged 7.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Aaron has declared for the NBA Draft, a school spokesman confirmed Friday night, but he has not hired an agent, allowing him to retain his college eligibility. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

USC guard Shaqquan Aaron has declared for the NBA Draft, a school spokesman confirmed Friday night.

Aaron has not hired an agent, allowing him to retain his college eligibility. He has until May 24 to decide whether to remain in the draft or return to school.

In his first season for the Trojans, Aaron, who transferred from Louisville, averaged 7.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.

The 6-foot-7 swingman appeared in all 36 games and started 20, but saw his minutes shrink toward the end of the season. Aaron averaged eight minutes per game in USC’s three NCAA Tournament games.

If he returns, he would be a redshirt junior.

The unexpected development could mark the first of several departures following a program-record 26-win season.

Sophomore forwards Bennie Boatwright and Chimezie Metu are weighing draft decisions, while junior guard Jordan McLaughlin could also test the waters. The deadline for underclassmen to file paperwork to enter the draft is April 23.

Last season, USC saw an exodus that included six players. Among them were guard Julian Jacobs and forward Nikola Jovanovic, who surprised coaches and teammates by declaring for the draft. Neither was drafted. They eventually signed with NBA D-League teams.

Joey Kaufman is the USC beat writer for the Southern California News Group. Since joining the Orange County Register in 2015, he has also covered Major League Baseball and UCLA athletics. His work has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors and Football Writers Association of America. Kaufman grew up in beautiful downtown Burbank.